LettersHong Kong leader’s policy address shows he wants to hear the voices of the youth

Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu delivered his first policy address last week, proposing a series of measures to develop the economy and improve people’s livelihoods. In particular, I am pleased that the chief executive has put much effort into youth policy, devoting a section of the address to young people. Among the new policies announced was the further expansion of the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth, under which young people interested in taking part in policy discussion can apply to join government advisory committees. During its current term, the government aims to triple the number of advisory committees participating in the scheme, from 60 to no less than 180, strengthening the function of the committees as “incubators” for talent. The administration also plans to select two committees related to district affairs to open some seats for young people to nominate themselves as members. The idea is to encourage young people to express their opinions on district affairs, youth development and civic education issues. In addition, the government will launch a new annual event, the Hong Kong Youth Festival, next year. Different sectors of the community will be invited to organise activities that help young people develop their potential, enhance their knowledge and share their experiences. The aim is to give young people the chance to show their strengths in different areas and contribute to Hong Kong society. The policy address also mentions that the 18 districts of Hong Kong will be further divided into subsections. Within these, local organisations and groups will be recruited to become “care teams” tasked with bringing together people from all walks of life – including the youth – to take part in activities such as visiting the needy. The first teams will be piloted next year in Tsuen Wan and Southern district. I hope this policy will bring new vitality to those districts and provide a platform for those interested in serving our community. Young people are the future; they are an important pillar of society and the engine for long-term economic development. Now is the time to establish specific infrastructure for youth development. I hope I will be yet more surprised by the first edition of the youth development blueprint, to be published by the Bureau of Home and Youth Affairs by the end of the year. Louis Yim, Shau Kei Wan Bridge political divide to avoid ‘let it rot’ mindset I am writing in response to the editorial, “Young need hope, not the urge to ‘let it rot’” (October 7). Last year, “lying flat” or tang ping became a social trend in mainland China, after a man posted on social media about how he had embraced the lifestyle of doing the bare minimum to get by. The post resonated with many and went viral, pointing to a growing sense of disengagement among the younger generation. This year, the phrase “let it rot” or bailan is doing the rounds, indicating that people are prepared to let the situation deteriorate. “Let it rot” encapsulates the despondency and helplessness youngsters feel in response to perceived inequality and the lack of opportunity for social mobility in an increasingly competitive society. Even though mainland jargon does not always resonate as much in Hong Kong, the difficulties facing young people in Hong Kong are no less challenging, and they are compounded by a deepening political divide. If the Hong Kong government wants to contribute to the greater good of the nation, it has to regain the trust of youngsters and cooperate with them. This should be a priority for Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu. Amanda Chau, Tseung Kwan O Time to destigmatise blue-collar work I refer to the report, “‘I do not feel inferior’: PhD student in China works part-time as delivery driver to foot son’s medical bills while earning degree” (September 26). While we often hear the platitude that all jobs deserve respect, in reality, there is a hierarchy, starting with division of white-collar and blue-collar jobs. The former is associated with work that does not involve manual labour or getting your hands dirty, and tends to pay better. Blue-collar workers, the so-called working class, are often paid by the hour. Most people in Hong Kong aspire to white-collar jobs, as they are associated with a higher educational level and social status. The academic pressure parents put on their children in Hong Kong is motivated by the desire for these children to avoid blue-collar work when they grow up. But many blue-collar workers today make an excellent living. Moreover, during the pandemic, society learnt to appreciate many of these workers, who came to be known as “essential workers”. I found the PhD student in China, who straddled both job categories happily, inspiring. We shouldn’t be constrained by stereotypes related to jobs if we find what satisfies us. Nicole Leung, Kwai Chung